Leicestershire & Rutland Freemason puts 3D printing skills to work to help NHS with shortage of PPE equipment

Leicestershire & Rutland Freemason Chris Parsons, of Rutland Lodge No. 1130 in Melton Mowbray, has turned his hobby into a lifesaver to protect the frontline heroes in the NHS

In his spare time, Chris works on his 3D printer, making all manner of designs and products. After a conversation with one of his friends, who works as a ward nurse at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, Chris began to put his 3D printing skills to work to help the shortage in supply of PPE equipment.

Initially, Chris began by sourcing a design from the internet to help nurses who were suffering from sore ears as a result of wearing face masks all day. After a few trials and prototypes, a model was ready for use, with an initial delivery of 50 pieces to the ward staff. Having successfully delivered the first batch, Chris turned his attention to another pressing issue, the lack of PPE equipment required for daily working with Covid-19 patients.

Using a similar material and method, Chris has turned his designs to the production of face masks, and once the prototype has been accepted, he will begin a concerted effort to supply enough to Glenfield Hospital to suit the demand.

So far, these efforts have been fully self-funded, and Chris will produce as much as he can in these troubling times.